Monsieur de la Sale Studying all Ways to find out the River Missisipi, imagin'd it might fall into the adjacent Bay, and resolv'd to go view all the Coasts about it, and to make use of the Bark la Belle. Accordingly he order'd me to repair to the said Bark, with five Men and a Canoe, into which he put his Cloaths, and other Effects in several Chests.
That short Voyage was very troublesome to us, by reason of the foul Weather, with contrary Winds and Storms, which had like to have overwhelm'd us, and what was still worse, we did not find the Bark, where we had left her. We went on a League further, to no Purpose, and Provisions beginning to fall short, because we had been six Days on the Way, instead of three, we resolv'd to return to the Place from whence we came.
Boat of the Bark lost. Monsieur de la Sale seeing us return at a distance, came to meet us. Our Report troubled him for the Bark, which he stood in need of, so that he resolv'd to go himself to seek her, imbark'd in a Canoe, and sent me another Way, in another. After having wander'd about all that Day, the next Night and the Day following, we at last perceiv'd her, where she lay under Shelter in a little Creek, having been in Danger of Perishing by the foul Weather we had been in, and had lost her Boat, which was not well made fast.
Oct. 1685 The Bark was also discover'd by Monsieur de la Sale, who was on the other side, which made him draw near and land, whence he sent his Canoe to the said Bark, and Monsieur Moranget who commanded it, went aboard to meet him. The Loss of the Boat troubled Monsieur de la Sale, I sent a Canoe to bring him, but to no Purpose; however the Trunks were put aboard the Bark.
What Stores they had. Monsieur Cavalier the Priest, being recover'd Monsieur de la Sale prepar'd to set out with all Speed. He was pleas'd to Honour me with the Command, during his Absence, and left me an Inventory of all that was in our Habitation, consisting of Eight Pieces of Cannon, two Hundred Firelocks, as many Cutlaces, an Hundred Barrels of Powder, three Thousand Weight of Ball, about three Hundred
